How to pronounce brownface
Say it like BROWN-fays. Brownface has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (BROWN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce brownface. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- BROWN
- fays
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Brownface pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- BROWNSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ow" in now.
- faysGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
American vs British pronunciation of brownface
American and British speakers say brownface in essentially the same way: /ˈbraʊnˌfeɪs/ in the US and /ˈbraʊnˌfeɪs/ in the UK.
British respelling: BROWN-fays.
What does brownface mean?
- A style of theatrical makeup in which a white person colors the face brown in order to represent somebody of another race.
Where does brownface come from?
From brown + face, based on earlier blackface.
Questions about saying brownface
How do you pronounce brownface?
Say BROWN-fays. The American pronunciation is /ˈbraʊnˌfeɪs/. In British English it is /ˈbraʊnˌfeɪs/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in brownface?
Brownface has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (BROWN). Broken into parts: BROWN · fays.
Do Americans and Brits say brownface the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈbraʊnˌfeɪs/ and the British form is /ˈbraʊnˌfeɪs/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.